Although winter in Colorado is beautiful, it can also mean frozen pipes, dead lawns, and emergency furnace repairs… Unless you take proper time to prepare your home for cold weather!
Our team at Corken + Company has compiled some tips to help you and your home stay safe and warm through the winter.
Winter Home Maintenance:
Stay warm! Test out your home furnace early, before the nights become consistently cold. Make sure your heating system boots up easily. If you notice problems, call a local HVAC expert to inspect the heating system.
Save energy. Set your thermostat on a schedule to optimize energy usage during the day. Make sure the warm air stays inside your home! Check your windows and doors to make sure they are fully sealed, and add weather stripping or insulation as needed.
Reverse your ceiling fans. This simple trick can make your home more comfortable during the winter. Switch your fan blades to run clockwise (there is usually a small switch on the body of the fan). As warm air rises, the ceiling fan will push the heat back down into your room.
Hidden Dangers:
Fires – Have your fireplace and chimney inspected every year and cleaned by a chimney sweep. Built-up debris could become a fire hazard. While you’re at it, check or replace the batteries in your home’s smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Freezing – Frozen pipes and hoses can cause big problems in your home. Even if you’re out of town, make sure your home is warm enough to prevent your pipes from freezing.
Survival Kit – Be prepared to be snowed in! Unexpected weather this season might leave you unexpectedly stuck in your house. Make sure you have a survival kit on hand, extra food in the pantry, and plenty of water and blankets.
Take steps early to prepare your home for cold temperatures, perform winter maintenance tasks, and mitigate hidden dangers. Stay safe and warm in your home this winter!
